Chapter 8 Dreams In Practice

• Virginia
• My life changed completely, positively, after I participated in the underground auction and I didn't regret what I had done to achieve what I had dreamed of so much. That if I had followed the natural course of things, I might never have performed what today had become reality.
• Since I started working in a department store, I had dreamed of having my own, with my friend Mariana, who always had a tremendous talent for sewing, and I was sure that we could achieve success if we made a partnership.
• We thought of starting a small business, which in time would become large and profitable, but even something like this required a minimum amount of money, which we did not have.
• But after we each managed to earn a high amount, unconventionally, by the way, we were able to do what we wanted, and now our dream has come true.
• Today we will be inaugurating our store in great style, in a shopping mall in a noble neighborhood of São Paulo.
• Mariana and I resigned the day after the auction, and she was then able to dedicate herself entirely to sewing and, along with the models she already had ready, we were even able to organize a fashion show for our inauguration.
• " I am so excited! " Mariana said radiantly.
• I was checking the last details before opening the doors and starting the inauguration of our store, while the saleswomen hired by us helped in the task and the adrenaline was high, but I stopped for a moment to pay attention to Mariana, who is not only my best friend but also my partner now.
• " I am too" I agree, smiling, more out of nervousness than anything else.
• " Do you think someone will come to see what we have prepared? " My friend asked, looking uncertain.
• " We can't beat ourselves up with questions like that, Mari," I said to try to calm her down. "The most important thing, at least for the moment, is that we are realizing something that we have dreamed of for a long time, and if no one comes, we will keep trying.
• " You are right, of course," Mari agreed. “Giving up is not in our plans, especially after what we have done to achieve this here”.
• Mariana made a wide gesture to indicate our store, which looked beautiful, and I was happy to be experiencing this moment.
• " Regardless of anything, it was worth it, Mari. " I said, taking her hands in mine and looking at her with all the tenderness I had for her. "Let's not dwell on what's past.”
• " I…”
• " Can we open the doors, Virginia? " One of the hired saleswomen asked, approaching us and interrupting whatever Mariana intended to talk about.
• I looked at my friend with curiosity, only then paying attention to how cold her hands were and how tense she seemed to be.
• " Let's get started on our activities, girls! " I said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “We'll talk later, Mari. But whatever is bothering you, I'll help you, okay?”
• "Yes" She agreed, and I noticed a tear fall from her almond-shaped eyes, something very strange that left me a little bewildered.
• The movement that began when the doors of our store were opened, did not allow me any time to rest, and I could not talk calmly, as I wished, with Mariana.
• Not even during our lunch hour could we have a break, because Mariana and I took turns so that our store had one of its owners during the entire working hours.
• We also took turns preparing for the big moment and when the time came for the inauguration parade, each one was responsible for different functions, and we also had professionals trained for this type of event.
• Although, everything turned out much better than we expected, because not only did we receive a larger audience than we had imagined, but the fashion show also attracted several people that surprised us. I noticed that Mariana didn't seem as happy as she should have been.
• "Your clothes are a total success, Mari!" I said, hugging her, in an attempt to cheer my friend up.
• Our publicity strategy on social networks to attract the public with raffles of gifts from our store, as well as tickets for our fashion show, seemed to have been very assertive, and I was very happy to achieve much more than I imagined for this business start.
• But even with all the publicity and the sales we made on our first day, Mariana was still visibly tense and, now I could say with conviction, sad.
• It was only when the two of us were supervising the removal, by the team hired to organize the event, of all the apparatus necessary for the parade, that we managed to stand side by side and talk with a little privacy since everyone else was busy with their respective activities.
• "I am very happy that we are realizing our dream, Vi.”
• "But you don't seem like a happy person, Mari, "I said directly, "Tell me, what's going on?”
• "I think we should talk at another time when everything is calmer,” She suggested.
• "I don't agree. You know you can count on me for whatever you need, and I'm not going to let you go the way you are."
• She seemed to reflect for a moment on my words and when she seemed ready to tell me about what was causing her to be in such a different state than usual, we were interrupted again, this time by an employee of the organizing company.
• "Tomorrow things are quieter at the store, and we can talk at lunchtime, what do you think?" Mariana suggested, and I had to agree with her.
• " That's fine. But tomorrow's no later, eh?”
• "That's fine," Mari agreed, and we went to finish orienting the team.
• It was already dawn when each one of us asked for a cab and went to our respective homes. As I drove home, I promised myself that the next day I would find out what was going on with my friend.